As I look back over 2009, there has been so much to be thankful for.  Most of all, we have expanded to include three fantastic new staff members.  Rita Johnson is our new Outreach Coordinator who oversees VADIC (VT Alcohol and Drug Information Clearinghouse) and VCAN (VT College Alcohol Netowrk).  Marie Baril is our new Office Assistant (and Access database guru!).  And Kate Burkholder, CCV Intern, has been working on merging our Speakers Bureau with the MHEI Speakers Bureau.  We've also been joined by many new members who support our mission and the work we do.  Welcome aboard new staff and FOR-VT members!

 

We've been busy this year with offering our annual events such as the Recovery Walk, Recovery Day at the State House and the FOR-VT Annual Meeting.   There were also numerous times during the last legislative session when recovery advocates testified and met with lawmakers about addiction related legislation.  New this year, our Addiction Recovery Training Series (ARTS) engaged new faces from not only the substance abuse field but from related service providers such as diversion, homeless shelters, and vocational rehabilitation.  This has reinforced the fact that addiction effects everyone and the collateral consequences of addiction are far reaching.

As your New England Regional Representative of Faces and Voices of Recovery, I recently joined the Advisory Board for the Addiction Technology Transfer Center of New England (ATTC- NE) and at the semi-annual planning meeting in Andover MA in November we were busy identifying priorities for the FY '11 workplan.  I've also joined the planning committee for the New England School for Addiction Studies being held June 14-17 at St. Michael's College in Colchester VT.  Stay tuned for updates on the course content and plenary speakers!